The correct answer is vishing, as this attack specifically used a phone call to deceive the user. Vishing, or voice phishing, is a social engineering technique where an attacker impersonates a trusted entity over the phone to manipulate a victim into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. In this scenario, the attacker posed as bank security and convinced the user to install remote access software, which directly enabled the unauthorized transfer. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish vishing from other phishing variants like smishing (SMS) or spear phishing (targeted email). A common trap is confusing vishing with a simple tech support scam, but the key identifier is the voice call as the attack vector. To remember, think of “V” for voice and “vishing” — if a voice is on the line demanding remote access, it’s vishing every time.
220-1202 Social Engineering Attacks Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of social engineering attacks. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user calls the help desk, frantic because their banking app shows an unauthorized transfer of $500. They say they received a call earlier from 'bank security' asking them to install a remote access tool to 'verify their account'. What type of social engineering attack did the user fall victim to?
Why wrong: Phishing typically uses email or text messages, not a direct phone call. The attack vector here was a voice call, making vishing the more precise term.
B
Vishing
Vishing (voice phishing) uses phone calls to impersonate legitimate organizations and trick victims into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. This scenario perfectly matches that description.
C
Smishing
Why wrong: Smishing uses SMS text messages, not phone calls. The attack here was initiated via a phone call, not a text.
D
Shoulder surfing
Why wrong: Shoulder surfing involves looking over someone's shoulder to obtain information, such as passwords. This scenario involves a phone call and remote access, not direct observation.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Vishing
This is a classic vishing (voice phishing) attack combined with a tech support scam. The attacker used a phone call to impersonate a trusted entity and tricked the user into installing remote access software, giving the attacker control over the device to perform fraudulent transactions.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing typically uses email or text messages, not a direct phone call. The attack vector here was a voice call, making vishing the more precise term.
✓
Vishing
Why this is correct
Vishing (voice phishing) uses phone calls to impersonate legitimate organizations and trick victims into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. This scenario perfectly matches that description.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Smishing
Why it's wrong here
Smishing uses SMS text messages, not phone calls. The attack here was initiated via a phone call, not a text.
✗
Shoulder surfing
Why it's wrong here
Shoulder surfing involves looking over someone's shoulder to obtain information, such as passwords. This scenario involves a phone call and remote access, not direct observation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Shoulder surfing involves looking over someone's shoulder to obtain information, such as passwords. This scenario involves a phone call and remote access, not direct observation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Social Engineering Attacks — This question tests Social Engineering Attacks — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Vishing — This is a classic vishing (voice phishing) attack combined with a tech support scam. The attacker used a phone call to impersonate a trusted entity and tricked the user into installing remote access software, giving the attacker control over the device to perform fraudulent transactions.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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